Time to Teach

     With the beginning of the school year, we are busy setting up systems that help us manage students and behavior. In this episode, I grapple with wanting to walk away from the stoplight system I have always used in favor of building relationships and focusing on natural and logical consequences instead. What does one do when students are at stake, but multiple factors go into making these kinds of decisions? In this episode, I will explore the humiliating system I have used for years (not with the intention to humiliate), and explore better alternatives. These are alternatives I have used in conjunction with the stoplight system, and that get to the core of a student's behavior. Listen to learn how visual behavior systems can feel humiliating to students, and the alternatives that better serve the student, the class, and the teacher.    0:00 Intro 3:46 My personal crossroads in classroom management 14:20 Stoplight, visual systems and how I attempt to put a positive spin on

Building classroom community is less about the activities you do with your class than the relationships you build in those first weeks of school. Don't give up all those wonderful activities you're doing, but do keep in mind what's at the heat of those activities. Listen to find out the key components involved in effective classroom community building.    0:00 Introduction 6:00 Remembering the big idea behind classroom community building 8:00 Building relationships with students 9:00 Scholastic article that gets to the heart of classroom community 10:56 Nurturing, secure and safe environment 12:26 Building community through identity 14:30 Building community through familiarity 18:54 Using warmth and beauty 22:08 Trust 25:50 The story of when I lost my highschool student's trust...forever 31:30 Classroom meetings 33:36 Predictability 37:05 Getting the family involved 43:00 Recap of key components 44:00 Outro   Contact: Twitter: @TamiJ123 Podcast show

Meet Aimee. She's an instructional math coach who has opened the door to homework changes in our elementary school section. Finding herself at a crossroads when her students grew frustrated and anxious around their math homework (all while losing valuable play and family time), Aimee began to ponder the value of traditional homework. She started to read a growing body of research that disproved the idea that homework has academic benefits in the early grades. Join us in a provocative conversation about the trials and tribulations of homework, and alternative activities to do instead that promote growth and learning. A few notes: We were recording on site at our school, and, as luck would have it, there was construction going on. So, you might hear a little bit of background sounds from time to time because hey, that's what happens when you record at a school! Also, Around 36 minutes into the interview the AC kicked on by itself. Sorry. Show Notes: 0:00 Introduction 0:55 Me

     The beginning of the school year is such a special time of year. Teachers excitedly get their classrooms set up, organized, and decorated. There is a buzz of excitement and energy around school. Expectations are high, and hope lingers in the air like a cool breeze on a hot day. Simply put, there is a special kind of feeling that ensues during this time of year, and it's the kind of feeling one would like to bottle up and enjoy at a later time (you know, for when we're exhausted and in need of a "pick-me-up"). In this episode, I explore 6 key ideas to keep in mind as you start the new school year. These ideas will help us not only begin the school year positively, but to maintain that positivity during the school year. Are you ready to be a positive force at your school?   Resources Brad Shreffler's Podcast" Planning Period"   Contact: Twitter: @TamiJ123 Podcast show notes & listen online: www.timetoteach.libsyn.com Facebook page: Time to

     Silly, sassy, and never short on sarcasm, Tiffany Pollari is one parent who has a lot to say about homework. She's got a complicated relationship with it; she neither loves it nor hates it, but she's got a few words for it. In this interview full of humor and wit, Tiffany shares some of her ups and downs with the "h" word that is better known as "homework".    0:00 Introduction 4:40 Introducing Tiffany Pollari. Qualified mother, sister, and accountant manager. 7:40 Tiffany makes a prediction as to whether we agree on homework practices or not. 9:55 Tiffany's thoughts on homework. 13:45 Discussion on what happens when parents have to teach themselves their child's homework before they can help. 14:57 Tiffany explaines the kind of homework that is onerous to parents and why. 15:50 Tiffany discusses why she thinks homework can be a good thing and why students should continue to have homework. 16:38 Tiffany shares how she thinks homework ca